The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) says that it might revisit the controversial standard for cranes and derricks for construction.

Since the rule was finalized in August 2010, stakeholders ranging from crane certification companies to union officials have raised concerns about the cane operator certification requirements and whether the perception could exist that operators who receive their certifications could be considered “qualified” to operate cranes on construction jobsites simply because they have received a certification.

To fully understand those concerns, OSHA held three days of meetings on operator certification/qualification issues in April.

In response to industry input, OSHA on May 22 said it would propose extending the compliance date for the crane operator certification requirement by three years to Nov. 10, 2017. The proposal would also extend to the same date the existing phase-in requirement that employers ensure that their operators are qualified to operate the equipment.

Moreover, OSHA said it is considering addressing industry concerns through a later separate rulemaking.  The extension of the compliance date is being proposed so that the qualification/certification requirements do not take effect during potential rulemaking, OSHA said.